Unsymmetrical diaryl ethers were efficiently obtained in good yields by the
reactions of diaryliodonium tosylates with phenols in the presence of potassium
carbonate in acetonitrile. Use of aryl(2,4-dimethoxyphenyl)iodonium tosylates
provides the corresponding unsymmetrical diaryl ethers in good yields with high
regioselectivities, together with the quantitative formation of
1-iodo-2,4-dimethoxybenzene.